21.03.06

The European Charter for Small Enterprises has acted as a catalyst for economic reform and promotion of entrepreneurship in the Western Balkans since 2003. As this first phase draws to a close, the countries themselves are united in wanting to see the process continued for a further three years. The European Commission is supporting their request and EU foreign ministers have given their formal approval for the extension.

Political and economic cooperation between the European Union and Western Balkans have never been as strong as they are now. The basis for this rapidly maturing bilateral partnership was the Thessaloniki summit in June 2003 which confirmed that the future of the countries in the region was firmly anchored in a European perspective.

Tangible proof of this came when the participants at the high-level meeting – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro including Kosovo, signed up to the European Charter for Small Enterprises.

The Charter sets out ten areas, ranging from better legislation to faster start-ups, that governments can work on to create a business-friendly environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The process, which Moldova joined in 2004, has acted as a road map for the economies of the area. It brings participants together on an equal basis, helping to nurture a regional identity and to solidify economic links, independent of any political developments that might be taking place.

Further proof of the increasing importance the Union attaches to the Western Balkans came at the end of January when the Commission published a wide-ranging policy document, ‘The Western Balkans on the road to the EU: consolidating stability and raising prosperity’.

This was followed in mid-February by Commission President, José Manuel Barroso’s first visit to the Western Balkans. Accompanied by Olli Rehn, the Enlargement Commissioner, he urged the countries to step up their reform efforts to speed their progress towards European integration.

Belgrade Declaration delivers a clear message

When it became clear in 2005 that the three-year period would soon be coming to an end, the Western Balkans sent out a clear message that they valued the process highly and wanted it to continue. In their Belgrade Declaration, issued on 26 October 2005 on their own initiative, they described the Charter as “the catalyst” through which they all worked closely together “in order to harness the full potential of our small and medium-sized enterprises”.

In a clear sign that all the participants see the benefits of the Charter process spreading beyond the confines of SME policy, they pledged to “remain committed to continuing and reinforcing this partnership approach with the common aim of achieving greater economic dynamism and growth, resulting in more employment and prosperity for all our peoples”.

Looking further ahead, the declaration stated that the Charter was “an important vehicle for achieving true international competitiveness for each of our economies and as a stepping stone to full EU membership”.

The Belgrade Declaration has transformed a top-down Commission initiative to a process with greater regional ownership and visibility.

One of the Charter’s distinctive features is that it brings together between 40 and 80 SME policy stakeholders together in annual bilateral meetings in each of the participating countries and entities (Montenegro and Kosovo). These are rare occasions for government ministers, national and international civil servants, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, business agencies and independent experts to exchange ideas and practices, and provide comments on the annual national reports.

These ‘hearings’ introduce a culture of dialogue and transparency in SME policy making which was largely absent before the Charter. Moreover, in regional meetings, organised twice a year, the region comes together to compare notes and plan ahead. The strength of this collective process was demonstrated in 2005 when a regional meeting was held in Kosovo for the first time and was attended by a Serbian delegation. The Charter’s positive impact

The latest Commission report on the implementation of the Charter in Moldova and the Western Balkans gives a clear picture of the impact it is having in the various national economies. Every participant now has an SME strategy, except for Bosnia-Herzegovina which is developing a draft, and all bar Kosovo and Moldova either have or foresee an SME Agency.

More importantly, the Charter has helped to push small businesses up the political agenda as can be seen by the amount of SME-related legislation that has been adopted. In general, the process and the Commission’s involvement have helped to create pressure and profile for these policies preventing them from being crowded out by other pressing political and economic priorities.

The fact that the Charter has ten clear guidelines has brought a more systematic approach to policy making, and has established an identifiable and accepted reference framework within which to design and deliver policies.

One of the processes’ greatest strengths is the peer pressure it exerts, encouraging countries to close performance gaps with their neighbours and leading to achievements that would have been most unlikely without its existence. Almost the entire region has now made headway on modernising company registration systems which in three years time have been brought to a level which compares well with good practice in the EU. Albania is lagging behind the others in this area, but has made it a policy priority for 2006.

Montenegro, for instance, is behind the group on the development of sophisticated business support systems such as incubators, clusters and technology parks, but has now put in place a strategy to address this.

In general, the Charter countries and entities fall into three main groups. Croatia and Serbia lead the way in the systematic manner they put strategies in place and develop specific technical support mechanisms. Whilst Croatia is in the unsurprising lead, the advent of Serbia is particularly remarkable where a dedicated reform effort has made the country pull slightly ahead of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The middle group of Montenegro, Albania and Moldova has some clear strengths, but also some weaknesses. The third category contains Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina where progress is slow due to reasons specific to each case. Prospects for progress

Following on from the Belgrade Declaration and the Commission’s January communication, European foreign ministers formally approved the Charter’s prolongation at the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on March 20.

The Commission will also seek to enhance the Charter process. By bringing in the OECD as a partner organisation, which has led a similar SME process in the region, the Charter will become the sole policy process on SMEs. The European Training Foundation has also jumped on board to put more flesh on the bones of Charter areas dealing with training and education. Finally, an increased use of indicators, measurement tools and league tables, will allow all involved to raise the stakes of the process and make the results more tangible. The Western Balkans on the road to the EU

Croatia: recently opened accession negotiations

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: granted candidate status

Albania: nearing conclusion of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA)

Serbia and Montenegro: opened SAA negotiations

Bosnia and Herzegovina: opened SAA negotiations

Kosovo, as defined in UN Security Council resolution 1244/99: begun political process for reaching decision on its future status.

Edward Tersmette

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KOSÓVA

Bynavne: Angives der to navne på samme lokalitet, er den Albanske nævnt først. Se oversigten på: http://bjoerna.dk/kosova/byer.htm • Rapporter fra FNs Generalsekretær • 040616 SG Kofi Annan udtaler at han agter at udpege Søren Jessen-Petersen som 5' SRSG. Søren Jessen-Petersen blev senere udpeget og tiltrådte i Kosóva 040816. • 0308 Harri Holkeri tiltrådte som 4' SRSG. Fratrådt 0406 af helbredsmæssige grunde. • 020214 Michael Steiner tiltrådte i Kosova som 3' SRSG og fratrådte i begyndelsen af 0307. • En biografi over 2' SRSG Hans Hækkerup kan læses på Danske Politikere. En anmeldelse af hans bog »Kosovos mange ansigter« indgår i »Albansk Almanak 2004« • Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-Government. • Kosova's Regering. • Webside vedr. 2004-valgene


Parlamentsvalget 2004, se: http://kosovoelections.org/eng/. Præsidenten - Ibrahim Rugóva - blev genvalgt efter valget af Parlamentet the Assembly; han døde 21.01.2006. Ny præsident er Fatmir Sejdiu


Kosovo's / Kosóva's fremtid. Forhandlingerne:

Decentralisering, men ikke total adskillelse mellem de albanske og de serbiske områder, siger Albert Rohan. Rohan har netop besøgt den nye Præsident i Kosóva, Sejdiu. Se artikel på SET: http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2006/03/30/feature-01



     

VicePM Lutfi Haziri fra Kosóva har været i Albanien [jf.: # 292]. Præsidentkontoret skriver:

March 27, 2006

The President of the Republic, Alfred Moisiu received today in a meeting the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosova, Lutfi Haziri who is conducting a visit in our country.

The main topics of the conversation were the latest political developments in Kosova and the progress of the Vienna negotiations regarding its future status. The Head of State, while hailing the elections of Kosova’s new government, pointed out the maturity and coherence of the Kosovar political class for the quick solution of the problems which enables the increase of trust and the creation of a god image for the domestic and foreign public opinion regarding the building a consolidated Rule of Law in Kosova.

President Moisiu reconfirmed the stand that the independence of Kosova, together with the preservation of democratic standards and attention to respect the rights and freedom of the minorities that co-exist there, is the necessary solution which generates peace, stability and prosperity in the region. Mr. Moisiu expressed the conviction that the progress of negotiations in Vienna is one of the indicators that the issue has entered the solution path and that the Albanian state will give its support in this direction.

On his part, the Deputy Prime Minister Haziri paused on some of the most actual issue which the society in Kosova faces such as the level of unemployment, the level of economic growth by pointing out the importance that has for Kosova the wide inter-regional collaboration which creates room also for investments.

As one of the participants in the Vienna talks, Mr. Haziri discussed also aspects of the process of negotiations.

060327 Udenrigsministeriet skriver:

Minister of Foreign Affairs received the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosova Mr. Lutfi Haziri.Mr. Mustafaj congratulated Mr. Haziri for his job and at the same time praised his political contribution within the Kosova government and Democratic League as well. He evaluated the latest positive developments in Kosova and in particular the changes in the government, which testify the maturity of the political factor. Further more Mr. Mustafaj informed Mr. Haziri about the efforts done by Albanian diplomacy in supporting the process of negotiation between Pristina and Belgrade, and in this context, he expressed his support for the work done by the Kosova delegation as very positive.

Mr. Haziri acquainted Minister Mustafaj with the measures undertaken by the government and institutions of Kosova towards the fulfilment of the standards required by the international community in the function of the definition of Kosova status. In this context, he mentioned the work done towards the respect and protection of the minority rights in Kosova, in local and central level, considering it as crucial for the establishment of a peaceful climate in Kosova society. Moreover, in his press conference, Mr. Haziri highlighted the importance of the cooperation of Kosova with regional countries and appraised as very positive the commitment of the Albanian government in support of the definition of Kosova status.

Asked by the journalist about the concrete engagement of the Albanian diplomacy in European structures in function of Kosova issue, Mr. Mustafaj pointed out that in his latest meetings with the Foreign Ministers of EU in Brussels, he strongly supported the idea that only a democratic and independent Kosova will produce long term stability in the region, an independence accompanied by certain guarantees which the Kosova authorities are aware of and are working seriously on their accomplishment.

Uddannelse af Journalister. OSCE skriver:

Giving local journalists the tools to tell the story in Kosovo

It has never been easy for journalists based outside Prishtinë/Pristina to quickly file stories with their headquarters in the capital. And when the Kosovo conflict broke out in 1999, the situation worsened.

Even today, basic facilities such as computers, Internet access and office space are few and far between. According to Hanns-Christian Klasing, Media Democratization Officer with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, that creates problems.

"The fact that journalists are often not able to communicate their news efficiently can mean that local affairs sometimes don't enter the public domain and are thus not open for scrutiny," he says.

Until recently, that was the situation facing correspondents in Podujevë/Podujevo, a small town in north-eastern Kosovo. Fadil Halimi is an experienced journalist who works for the Association for Public Intercommunication and Culture (AIPK), an NGO dedicated to media analysis and co-ordinating journalists' work.

Poor working conditions

"We used to have to sit on the floor in coffee shops to write our articles, dictating stories over the phone, sending handwritten faxes, and paying high Internet costs," he recalls.

So in August 2005, the Podujevë/Podujevo journalists turned to the OSCE Mission for help.

They submitted a proposal to the Mission for the creation of a press club that would support their work by providing the essential facilities: office space, phones and computers with Internet access.

Their proposal was accepted and on 20 January this year, the press club was opened by the OSCE Mission, in partnership with the Llap Journalists' Association, which covers the region around Podujevë/Podujevo.

A 45-square metre office equipped with six computers that have Internet access and printers, the same number of phone lines, office furniture and supplies now provides a professional working environment for some 25 journalists.

Better news reporting

As president of the new club, Fadil is pleased with the results: "Now, with our press club, we have relatively good conditions, and we are already getting more effective in producing and sending news."

The increase in the quality and quantity of news sent from Podujevë/Podujevo will, he believes, will enable the people of Kosovo to make better-informed decisions when assessing the work of politicians and government.

The OSCE Mission staff were thinking along the same lines when they made the decision to support the press club.

"We helped to get this project off the ground in order to facilitate the work of journalists and enable them to fulfil their professional duties, especially as opinion-shapers," says Hanns.

Need for self-sustainability

The Mission provided all the equipment for the club and is covering all Internet and office rental costs for an initial six-month period. After that, however, the OSCE's financial support will be phased out and the club will need to become self-sustaining.

The AIPK has developed a business plan that foresees income generation from the introduction of a modest membership fee, the provision of journalism training, and advertising services. According to Fadil, the training activities will focus on educating the younger generation on how to use the Internet to develop their journalistic knowledge and skills.

"The press club is a good example of how we can aid media development by supporting positive initiatives that can become self-sustaining in a very short period of time," adds Hanns.

Plans for the future

The club may be just starting out, but its future looks promising, with another 25 young journalists expected to join by the end of the year.

Fadil also intends to capitalize on the enthusiasm the club has generated by establishing a local newspaper that will encourage youth participation. "The paper will be both a challenge for young people and an opportunity for them to show their talent," he says.

Podujevë/Podujevo press club is not the only such project supported by the OSCE Mission. As part of a series of media development activities, ten similar projects are under way or in the planning stages throughout Kosovo.

Written by Dillon Case and Nikola Gaon

28 March 2006

Pressemeddelelser fra UNMIK: Ung Mand stukket ned i Nord-Mitrovica. Der håbes på hurtig helbredelse

PRISTINA – Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) Søren Jessen-Petersen today expressed deep regret at the stabbing of a Kosovo Serb juvenile in the northern part of Mitrovica this evening.

The SRSG said: “I deeply regret and am shocked to learn about this deplorable incident. My thoughts go to the family and the boy and I hope for his quick recovery. I have asked the Police to launch a full investigation into all of the circumstances relating to the incident. In the meantime, while this matter is being looked into, I urge restraint and ask all those with any information on the incident to come forward and share that with the Police.”

SRSG er glad for PM Çeku's opfordring til Kosovo Serberne:

PRISTINA – Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) Søren Jessen-Petersen welcomed the call of Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku yesterday, for Kosovo Serbs to join efforts of the Kosovo government and the international community to build a multi-ethnic society, which would guarantee them their rightful place in Kosovo.

The SRSG said, “The Prime Minister’s appeal is yet another example of the earnestness of the Kosovo leadership to fully integrate the Kosovo Serb community in the current and future structures in Kosovo. It is now time for the Kosovo Serbs to respond in kind, to take the hand that is reaching out to them in a spirit of partnership, and work together with the Kosovo Albanian community to build a common future in Kosovo.”

Taking note of recent developments that serve to isolate Kosovo Serbs from legitimate local institutions in Kosovo, the SRSG said, “I am concerned to learn about moves which make it difficult for Kosovo Serbs to engage in the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government. The Kosovo Serbs in question are entitled to salaries from the Kosovo Consolidated Budget for the work they are doing. I have brought this issue to the attention of the Contact Group and the Government in Belgrade, and I appeal to Belgrade not to undertake moves which would be detrimental to the future of the Serb community in Kosovo.”

“There are extremely important issues pertaining to decentralisation that are being discussed within the framework of the status talks and a lot of common ground has been explored by the UN Status Envoy. It is very important in this critical phase of the process that all parties refrain from any unilateral measures,” the SRSG said.

060321 SRSG har haft møder med fremstående Kosovo Serbere og opfordrer dem til at involvere sig i samfundets opbygning

SRSG urges Kosovo Serbs to join efforts to address people’s concerns

PRISTINA – Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) Søren Jessen-Petersen today visited Grac(anica/Graçanicë Monastery where he met Bishop Artemije. This was followed by meetings with the Additional Deputy President of Pristina Municipality Radojica Mitrovic and Head of the Municipal Community Office Predrag Vasic, as well as with local Kosovo Serb leaders Randjel Nojkic (SLKM), Rada Trajkovic (SNC) and Milija Popovic (KOS), among others.

In his meeting with Bishop Artemije, the SRSG explored ways to focus on the real needs of all the people of Kosovo during this crucial period of status talks that have raised “a lot of hope among a lot of people in Kosovo, but also concerns among many of the minorities and the Kosovo Serbs in particular”.

“The point I made to the Bishop is that political personalities and institutions deal with politics in the status talks and what I hope we can do with our responsibilities is now to focus on the people,” the SRSG said in his press encounter after the meeting. “I appealed to the Bishop that this is the moment when, if we all work together – the Kosovo Albanians, the political leaders, the Kosovo Serb citizens and the Church – we could do a lot for the people to reassure them,” he added.

In his meeting with the Kosovo Serb leaders the SRSG dwelled on the potential impetus economic development would provide to inter-ethnic reconciliation. “It is the economy that can and will bring people together,” he said, “But to open up the economic opportunities that exist potentially in Kosovo we need clarity on status. That will bring the kind of private investments that we need to move the economy forward.”

“We have a Kosovo Albanian leadership that understands the importance of reaching out to the minorities. We will see a lot of initiatives in that area in the next couple of months,” the SRSG said, and added: “I hear more and more from the Kosovo Serbs their strong determination to be a part of this society. Now I think it is the responsibility of UNMIK, the international community, but ultimately of the Kosovo Albanian political leaders and people to work on that and make that possibility a reality.”

060320 SRSG har haft møde med Ramush Haradinaj. Begge er enige om at forholdene for Kosovo Serberne skal styrkes

SRSG meets AAK President Ramush Haradinaj

PRISTINA – Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) Søren Jessen-Petersen today met Mr. Ramush Haradinaj, President of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), at UNMIK Headquarters.

The meeting follows the Decision of the Appeals Chamber of the ICTY of 10 March 2006, on modified conditions of provisional release of Mr. Ramush Haradinaj.

The SRSG had useful discussions with the AAK President on the recent political developments and the overall security situation in Kosovo.

Mr. Haradinaj stressed the commitment of the AAK, as a governing coalition partner, to work hard on implementation of the Standards, including those essential to improve the living conditions and future prospects of the minority communities, particularly the Kosovo Serbs.

Den Transnationale Stiftelse for Freds- og Fremtidsforskning, TFF v/ Dr Jan Öberg er ikke glad for den nye PM i Kosóva, Agim Çeku. Der er kommet en mail, som aftrykkes nedenfor.

Kommentar: SRSG Søren Jessen-Petersen har (efter min opfattelse) ret, når han går ud fra at det er UNMIK der har det politimæssige ansvar for Kosóva (i den sidste ende over for FN's Sikkerhedsråd); dette er hjemlet i omtalte SC-RES # 1244, og det fremgår eksplicit af flg. passager:

10. Authorizes the Secretary-General, with the assistance of relevant international organizations, to establish an international civil presence in Kosovo in order to provide an interim administration for Kosovo under which the people of Kosovo can enjoy substantial autonomy within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and which will provide transitional administration while establishing and overseeing the development of provisional democratic self-governing institutions to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants of Kosovo;

[...]

(i) Maintaining civil law and order, including establishing local police forces and meanwhile through the deployment of international police personnel to serve in Kosovo;

Det betvivles, mig bekendt, heller ikke i almindelighed af statsretseksperter, jurister m.fl. at UNMIK og SRSG har omtalte ansvar og kompetence.

Spørgsmålet er ikke om SRSG er berettiget til at annullere den serbiske arrestbegæring til INTERPOL, men om det er rimeligt at gøre det, og om SRSG med andre ord har anlagt et fuldt acceptabelt skøn. Öberg's henvisning til # 1244 er ikke gyldig; han støtter sig nemlig på en generel forudsætning (om Serbiens suverænitet m.v.), der netop er suspenderet med # 1244.

Det er desværre rigtigt at mange Kosovo Serbere er flygtet, og at der ikke i tilstrækkelig grad er skabt sikre vilkår for de tilbageblevne Kosovo Serbere, endsige for de flygtede. Kosóva Albanerne bærer - kollektivt - anvaret herfor.

Men når forholdene var så problematiske frem til NATO-interventionen, har det mange årsager, men grundlæggende at Serberne har optrådt som besættelsesmagt siden 1912. I Mellemkrigstiden førte Serbien en kolonialistisk politik, efter 2' Verdenskrig har man ført en kompleks og svingende politik, men i det grundlæggende har man dog tilsidesat Albanerne, dels i perioden frem til 1974 - ikke mindst mens Rankovic var medlem af den serbiske statsledelse - dels i perioden efter 1989, hvor autonomien blev ophævet. Man burde have ført en langt klogere politik end man gjorde fra begge sider, og det er svært at bebrejde dé albanere der i slutningen af 1990'erne samlede sig i UÇK for enten at sætte det serbiske statsapparat i Kosóva på porten eller for at provokere vestmagterne til at intervenere mhp at give albanerne selvstændighed.

Lund, Sverige, 23. marts 2006

Dansk FN-diplomat roser og beskytter formodede krigsforbrydere

I 1999 bombede NATO Kosovo ud af Serbien. NATO, EU og OSCEovertog/besatte provinsen under ledelse af FN-Missionen UNMIK. I dag er danskeren Søren Jessen-Petersen Kosovos højeste chef. Han beskytter aktivt de formodede krigsforbrydere eller krigshelte fra 1990-erne, der siden er blevet provinsens ledere.

Det gælder den tidligere statsminister Ramush Haradinaj, der er anklaget ved Krigsforbrydertribunalet i Haag, men af Tribunalet har fået lov til ikke bare at opholde sig i Kosovo men også at deltage aktivt i politik. Da han i sin tid rejste til Haag fik han ros af sin personlige ven Jessen-Petersen, der håbede at han snart kom tilbage. (Man kan jo forestille sig hvilket ramaskrig det ville vække hvis Slobodan Milosevic havde fået lov til at vende tilbage til Beograd).

Det gælder Agim Çeku, Kosovos nye statsminister. Han er ikke anklaget ved Haag-Tribunalet, men var officer i den kroatiske hær da den i 1995 fordrev godt 200.000 kroatisk-serbiske statsborgere fra landet. De har ikke siden kunnet vende tilbage. Fra 1993 hjalp han som han selv har fortalt mig med at udvikle Den Kosovo-Albanske Befrielseshær, KLA, der stod på USA liste over terrororganisationer indtil den blev stor og stueren nok til at bekæmpede serbiske styrker i provinsen og hjælpe NATO med bombningen. Under krigen arbejdede han tæt sammen med Haradinaj.

Den tredje er Hacim Thaci, også højtstående i KLA i sin tid. Han er i dag parti- og oppositionsleder og leder af den kosovo-albanske delegation, der forhandler med serberne om Kosovos fremtidige status.

KLA bærer det største ansvar for at også godt 200.000 serbere fra Kosovo blev fordrevet derfra efter NATOs bombninger. Kosovos nye ledelse, som Søren Jessen-Petersen samarbejder så positivt med, var altså centralt placeret da nogen af de værste forbrydelser blev begået. Der skyld eller uskyld bør interessere enhver, der ønsker et fredeligt Europa.

Søren Jessen-Petersens seneste beskyttelse af disse formodede krigsforbrydere gentager sig nu på en ny måde. UNMIK informationsafdeling refererer den 23. marts at det står i avisen Koha Ditore at han har ophævet den arrestordre som Serbien i sin tid indgav til Interpol gældende for Ceku og Thaci.

I et brev [til] Englands lokale diplomat skal han forklare at UNMIK alene har jurisdiktion over Kosovo, at Serbiens ønske om at de skal arresteres bryder mod dette og atarrestordren derfor ikke er gyldig. I FN's Sikkerhedsråds resolution 1244 fra 1999 siger medlemsstaterne udtrykkeligt at de respekterer Jugoslaviens (som det hed dengang) uafhængighed og territoriale integritet. Er Jessen-Petersen ophævelse af arrestordre[r]ne forenelig hermed?

Jessen-Petersen forhindrer efter ordre fra højere magter - at vi nogensinde vil kunne få klarhed over hvem der stod bag forbrydelser mod serberne i Kroatien og i Kosovo. Hvis ærinde går han og FN hér? Her ligger en meget alvorlig sag for den gravende journalist, der tør pille ved dét ensidige billede, der har fået lov til florere også i dansk presse fra 1991 til i dag.

Det der sker i dagens Kosovo er af flere grunde en folkeretligt, moralsk og historisk skandale. En dansk FN-diplomat forhindrer aktivt at ledende officerer i en tidligere terrororganisation kan blive forhørt og enten bevise [deres] uskyld eller blive anklaget for krigsforbrydelser.

Han forhindrer dermed også at hundredtusindvis af serbiske ofre for etnisk rensning og deres pårørende kan få fred i sjælen. Det er ikke "pro-serbisk" at påpege at dette ikke bør gå upåagtet hen.

Menneskerettighedsorganisationer burde have gjort det for længe siden. Anti-serbismen i dagens Europa ligner desværre antisemitismen til forveksling.

Ugerapport fra Dansk KFOR. Hærens Operative Kommando skriver (på http://www.hok.dk/):

De første medaljer ved KFOR 14

Uge 12 ved KFOR 12, Kosovo.

27-03-2006 kl. 15:40

Redigeret af Per Heien

major, chef for Administrationssektionen samt Presse- & Informationsofficer

Ugen startede i flot solskinsvej med morgenparade, flaghejsning og medaljeoverrækkelse.

I forbindelse med udsendelse har vi dem, som vi kalder "skæve rotanter", og det er læger, sygeplejersker og regnskabsfolk. I den her uge skulle vi sende to læger hjem, efter at de havde gjort tjeneste ved KFOR i knapt to måneder.

Reglerne for medalje erhvervelse er, at man skal have gjort tjeneste i missionen i minimum 30 dage, og medaljen kan kun erhverves en gang, selvom man udsendes til den samme mission flere gange. Ved genudsendelse modtager man så et diplom udfærdiget af bataljonen. Og vi havde en af hver slags i forbindelse med paraden, hvilket klart fremgår af nedenstående billede.

To læger, doc Monica og doc Ole, har modtaget hhv. medalje og diplom.

Desværre havde vi et mindre trafikuheld, hvor vores eget "Falck beredskab" måtte rykke ud, og lejren har nu haft sin første skarpe udrykning. Det var en Mercedes GD, som var væltet ned ad en skrænt, og der var tre passager i. Heldigvis skete der ikke noget alvorligt.

Men alle bliver selvfølgelig bekymret. Samtidig fik vi så også at vide, at en dansk soldat i Irak var slået ihjel. Dette fik nogle folk til at tænke lidt.

Nu hvor vi er over første måned hernede, så er alle ved at være godt inde i deres rutiner, og for det meste kører det som smurt.

Velfærd, også i Kosovo!

I vores lejr arbejdes der hårdt hver dag, og arbejdets karakter spænder vidt, lige fra planlægning og udførsel af operative opgaver, vedligeholdelse af lejren og køretøjer til vagttjeneste. Alle har travlt med at bestride netop deres arbejde så godt som muligt. Men når soldaterne for en gangs skyld har nogle fritimer, så kommer velfærdskontoret ind i billedet.

Her på velfærdskontoret sidder vi tre personer. Vi har alle et fælles mål med vores arbejde, og det er at sørge for, at soldaterne bliver overforkælet med velfærd i deres fritid.

Der er gang i cirka 20 aktiviteter her i lejren, alt lige fra spinning til golf. Heldigvis har vi mange dygtige soldater her i lejren, der gratis tilbyder deres hjælp enten som instruktør eller som hjælper, så en stor tak til dem herfra velfærdskontoret.

Johnny er vores rejsebefalingsmand. Han sørger for, at soldaterne får deres flybilletter, således at de kan komme hjem til deres familie og venner på leave. Han er også behjælpelig med at finde billige billetter på Internettet, hvis soldaten har lyst til et mere eksotisk rejsemål.

Nogle af soldaterne har bestilt rejser til USA og fjernøsten i de tre ugers leave, de har på de seks måneder i missionen. Derudover bruger Johnny en del tid på at administrere alt vores velfærdsmateriel både vedligeholdelse og udlån.

Nathalie som er vores velfærdshjælper tager sig primært at DVD udlåningen her i lejren. Alle vores soldater kan kvit og frit låne et par film til en hyggeaften foran skærmen. Det er også Nathalie, der er lejrens officielle fotograf, og i den egenskab oplever hun mange spændende ting, både i lejren men også uden for i vores ansvarsområde.

KVO beskæftiger sig mest med alle planlægningsopgaverne. Det drejer primært om R&R (weekendture til Sofia og Grækenland), DANCON MARCH (25,2 km i bjergrigt terræn, deltagere cirka 2500 soldater), Blå bog, fritidsudvalgsmøder og et budget på godt og vel 210.000 kroner, der skal komme soldaterne til gode.

Så er der gået endnu en uge i operationssektionen i Kosovo. Det har været en forholdsvis stille og rolig uge, hvor en af hovedopgaverne har været den sidste koordination omkring den kommende flytning af skillelinien mellem den danske og den franske bataljon inde i Mitrovica. Skillelinien bliver flyttet for at lette samarbejdet imellem de to enheder i forbindelse med operationer fremover.

Leave perioden er begyndt, og operationsofficeren har været den første til at tage af sted på leave. Det var med et slet skjult smil, at han stod på bussen til lufthavnen sidste weekend med udsigt til at skulle tilbringe en uge på Tenerife med sin familie.

Heldigvis for resten af sektionen, som pænt har måttet blive i lejren indtil det bliver deres tur, har vejret været rigtig godt i denne uge. Det er forbi med frostkolde nætter, og om dagen sniger temperaturen sig indimellem helt op på 15 grader. Det er derfor yndet at holde smøg -og/eller kaffepause i solen på bænken foran stabsbygningen, hvor der for det meste er dejlig læ.

Søndag forventes det, at vejret bliver særligt godt med sol fra en skyfri blå himmel, da den ene af sektionens to unge ildsprudlende premierløjtnanter har fødselsdag. I den anledning har han inviteret resten af sektionen ud at spise søndag aften, og det er jo en fin afslutning på endnu en god uge i Kosovo.

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ØST KOSÓVA / PRESEVO-DALEN / SYD-SERBIEN


For nemheds skyld bruges betegnelsen Øst Kosóva / Presevo-dalen om det omstridte område med byerne: Presheva, Medvegja og Bujanoci (Albansk stavemåde). Ca. 75 % af befolkningen skønnes at være etniske Albanere - måske omkring 70.000. En modstandsgruppe har tidligere været i funktion, men synes nu at være »lukket ned«. Gruppen kaldtes i forkortet form UCPMB (som står for noget i retning af: Ushtria Clirimtare e Presheva, Medvegja dhe Bujanoci; på Engelsk: Liberation Army of Presheva, Medvegja and Bujanoci). Gruppen sagde at den intet havde at gøre med Kosova's UCK, og at den var en lokal gruppe.

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ALBANIEN




Klik på kortet, hvis du vil have det forstørret / click http://bjoerna.dk/kort/Albanien.gif to enlarge it


Info fra Albaniens Statistik: Befolkningstal: 3,1 Mio (1.1.2004). GDP (Gross Domestic Product): 630 Mia Lek (2002, current prices); GDP-structure: Agriculture: 26 %, Industry 10-11 %, Construction: 7-8 %, Services: 55-56 %. Export: 54 mia lek (2003) [heraf til Danmark: 23 mio lek; størrelsesorden 1,2 mio kr], Import: 226 mia lek (2003) [Heraf fra Danmark: 855 mio lek; størrelsesorden: 45-50 mio kr], Tradedeficit: 171 mia lek (2003). Største import fra Italien (75 mia lek) og Grækenland (45 mia lek), største eksport til Italien (40 mia lek). Unemployment: 14-15 % (2004-III)





Det Engelske Udenrigsministeriums 'Country Advice' til rejsende kan findes på adressen: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618385522. Det Danske UM har pt ingen rejsevejledning, men henviser til det Engelske UM. Den Norske Ambassade kan findes på: http://www.norvegji.org/. Det Amerikanske UM har Juni 2004 offentliggjort en 'Background Note' om Albanien: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3235.htm




Da en Moder Teresa-statue blev afsløret i Tirana i december 2004. Foto: Bjørn Andersen




Mother Teresa: http://bjoerna.dk/albanien/Teresa.htm. Marts 2006. Der er planer om at rejse en statue af Moder Teresa i Shkodra, men det er der nogle muslimer der er kritiske eller negative over for; officielt har man ingen indvendinger. »Tirana Times« skriver:

TIRANA, March 21 – The head of the Albanian Muslim Community, the only official organization representing all Albanian Muslims, said on Monday opposition to placing a statue of Mother Teresa at the entrance of the northwestern city of Shkodra did not represent its official stance. Community leader Selim Muça also said placing the bust is within the powers of authorities and would not damage religious harmony in Shkodra. “Mother Teresa is the honor of our nation and we respect all distinguished figures of our nation” Muça said, adding the bust “does not damage religious harmony.”

Parlamentsvalget i 2005 [Præsidenten vælges af Parlamentet for 5 år, næste gang i 2007]: Se nærmere i: http://bjoerna.net/sidste-nyt/265.htm


Præsident Moisiu's aktiviteter [Billederne i denne sektion kan som regel forstørres ved at klikke på dem (mens man er på nettet)] [NB Forbindelsen til serveren er for tiden ikke altid helt god]:


Præsident Moisiu er rejst til Tyrkiet for at blive checket af læger dér. Præsidentkontoret skriver:

President Moisiu departed to Turkey. March 29, 2006. The President of the Republic, Alfred Moisiu departed today at noon to Ankara, Turkey where he will undergo a periodic medical check in one of the health clinics of the Turkish capital.

     

VicePM Lutfi Haziri fra Kosóva har været i Albanien [jf.: # 292]. Præsidentkontoret skriver:

March 27, 2006

The President of the Republic, Alfred Moisiu received today in a meeting the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosova, Lutfi Haziri who is conducting a visit in our country.

The main topics of the conversation were the latest political developments in Kosova and the progress of the Vienna negotiations regarding its future status. The Head of State, while hailing the elections of Kosova’s new government, pointed out the maturity and coherence of the Kosovar political class for the quick solution of the problems which enables the increase of trust and the creation of a god image for the domestic and foreign public opinion regarding the building a consolidated Rule of Law in Kosova.

President Moisiu reconfirmed the stand that the independence of Kosova, together with the preservation of democratic standards and attention to respect the rights and freedom of the minorities that co-exist there, is the necessary solution which generates peace, stability and prosperity in the region. Mr. Moisiu expressed the conviction that the progress of negotiations in Vienna is one of the indicators that the issue has entered the solution path and that the Albanian state will give its support in this direction.

On his part, the Deputy Prime Minister Haziri paused on some of the most actual issue which the society in Kosova faces such as the level of unemployment, the level of economic growth by pointing out the importance that has for Kosova the wide inter-regional collaboration which creates room also for investments.

As one of the participants in the Vienna talks, Mr. Haziri discussed also aspects of the process of negotiations.

PM Sali Berisha's aktiviteter: [Billederne i denne sektion kan som regel forstørres ved at klikke på dem (mens man er på nettet)]


Kommissionsformand Barroso, EU, har skrevet et opmuntrende brev til PM Berisha om det fremtidige samarbejde. PM Berisha's kontor har udsendt flg.:

Barroso writes to Prime Minister Berisha: "We are now taking relations between the EU and Albania to another level"

26/3/2006

Barroso : “I am confident that you will make a success of the SAA implementation”.

In a letter to the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Berisha, which was presented by the head of the EU delegation in Tirana, ambassador Lutz Salzman, the president of the European Commission Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso writes:

I would like to thank you for the reception you gave me during my visit to Tirana with Commissioner Rehn on 18 February. I was very pleased to be able to attend the completion of the initialling of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. This was an important step towards its conclusion. The Commission will now propose the signature of the agreement to the Council. I am confident that you will make a success of its implementation. A sustained record of successfully implementing the agreement needs to be established over several years before Albania can take further formal steps towards the EU.

We are now taking relations between the EU and Albania to another level. It is important that you can establish a constructive political consensus on the European agenda. The European Partnership will guide you in your reform efforts. Priorities for the EU include the fight against corruption and organised crime as part of an overall strengthening of the rule of law, the reinforcement of property rights, of media freedom and, of the administrative capacity needed to tackle these and other challenges that Albania faces.

I particularly welcome Albanias role in enhancing stability and co-operation in the region. The EU attaches great importance to regional cooperation as this is an important part of the European integration process. I trust that you will continue your constructive role as the countries of the region increasingly assume ownership of regional cooperation.

The Commission strongly supports the proposal to create a regional Free Trade Agreement. Regional trade integration would contribute to the economic development of the region and be a powerful signal to foreign investors. The Commission will continue to provide advice and technical assistance to this end. The Commission is also preparing a zone of diagonal cumulation of origin to foster trade between the EU and all countries of the Western Balkans which fulfil the necessary conditions.

The Commission plans to present proposals to the Member States on visa facilitation for Western Balkan Countries. In order to take the visa issue forward, it is essential that further progress is made on reform, particularly in the area of rule of law.

The EU remains committed to the European integration of Albania and its neighbours. We will continue to assist you in achieving this goal.

Kansler Angela Merkel vil besøge Albanien på et senere tidspunkt. PM Berisha's kontor skriver:

The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel accepts the invitation to visit Albania

23/3/2006

Prime Minister Sali Berisha participates on Thursday, in the European People’s Party Summit, held in Meise in a castle near Brussels. This Summit is held just before the European Summit, which will be held at the end of March in Rome. In the Summit participated Prime Ministers and Leaders of the European right wing parties among which, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel; the Prime Minister of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi; the Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Shussel; the CE President, Hose Manuel Barroso; the Prime Minister of Holland, Jan Peter Balkanende; the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jan-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kostas Karamanlis; Bavaria’s Prime Minister, Edmund Stoiber, the chairman of the European Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee, Elmar Brok; the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Pier Ferdinando Casini, as well as many other personalities of the European right wing.

The opening speech was held by the President of the European People’s Party, Wilfried Martens. The Summit aims to present and approve the documents for the next EPP Congress which will be held in Rome on 30-31 march, 2006. The CE President, Barroso and the Chancellor Shussel, whose country has the EU rotating presidency, presented the agenda of the issues, which will be discussed today and tomorrow in the European Summit. Some of these main issues were, scientific research, the mutual policies for the energy, the development of the private enterprise, etc.

During the proceedings of the Summit and the lunch, Mr. Berisha held meetings with heads of governments and states present in the Summit. During these meetings, he asked for their support for the signature of the Stabilization-Association Agreement. Mr. Berisha thanked the Austrian Chancellor, Wofgang Shussel for the support, his country has given to the completion of the Stabilization-Association Agreement and preparations for its signature. Prime Minister Berisha met and invited the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel to visit Albania. Mrs. Merkel accepted the invitation and promised to visit our country some time appropriate. Mr. Berisha also had meetings with the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi; Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis; Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean Claude Juncker; as well as other Prime Ministers, heads of states, and representatives of European right-wing parties.

Der har været konference i Albanien om transportforhold med deltagelse af de forskellige donorlande




Der har været konference i Albanien om forskning og uddannelse ift relationerne til Europa


Vold mod kvinder i Albanien. Amnesty International har holdt pressemøde på Hotel Rogner i Tirana i anledningen af at man har udgivet en rapport.

Opmærksomheden henledes på omtalen - i »To skridt fremad? Albanien i en brydningstid«, s. 71-73 - af en sociologisk rapport der blev offentliggjort i 2005. Her står bl.a.:

Forklaringerne på voldens omfang og dens særlige karakter er at Albanien undergår en meget kraftig, for ikke at sige voldsom udvikling. Familierne – især landfamilierne – var meget patriarkalske. Manden var dén der havde det store ord og ham der bestemte i den sidste ende.

Mandens traditionelle rolle og hans selvforståelse passer ikke så godt med livet i en stor by som Tirana. Rollen og selvforståelse er under angreb på mange måder fra det omgivende samfund og fra kvinderne.

De ændrede krav til mændene har formentlig gjort dem frustrerede, og det fører til at de – undertiden – bruger vold for at få deres vilje og for at markere deres position i familien. Måske i endnu højere grad end de ville have gjort under traditionelle landlige forhold?

Hvis kvinden har en højere uddannelse end sin mand, skærper det situationen; manden bliver mere usikker end han ellers ville have været.

Dén rapport kan findes på: http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/331/7510/197.

AI skriver i marts 2006 om den nye rapport:

Albania: Government failing to protect women from violence in the family

press release, 03/17/2006

Amnesty International will hold a press conference to launch its report Albania -- Violence against Women in the Family: "It's not her shame", as part of the organisation's Stop Violence Against Women campaign.

The report highlights the violence women suffer in the family at the hands of their partners. It calls on the Albanian authorities to put in place safeguards against this violence, which affects at least a third of women in the country.

When: Thursday 30 March at 10.30am local time

Where: Vienna - Prague function rooms,
Rogner Hotel Europapark Tirana,
Bulevardi Deshmoret e Kombit,
Tirana, Albania

Who: Dr Siân Jones, Balkans Researcher, Amnesty International
Jezerca Tigani, Europe and Central Asia Campaign Co-ordinator, Amnesty International
Edlira Haxhiymeri, Director of "Shelter for victims of domestic violence" in Tirana

Amnesty International speakers will be available for interviews in Albanian, French, Spanish and English.

Please confirm your attendance to: Amnesty International press office in London: email press@amnesty.org or telephone: +44 207 413 5566. Jezerca Tigani in Albania (from 28 March): local mobile number: (+355) 6831 37349 and international mobile: +44 7876 784398.

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Vold mod kvinder i Albanien

I rapporten "Albania - Violence against Women in the Family: It's not her shame", der udkommer i dag, dokumenterer Amnesty et uhyggeligt omfang af vold mod kvinder i de albanske hjem.

Omkring hver tredje kvinde i Albanien bliver udsat for fysisk vold i familien. Kvinder bliver slået, tævet, sparket, truet med våben, voldtaget og i ekstreme tilfælde slået ihjel. Nogle kvinder ser selvmord som eneste udvej for at undslippe volden. Alligevel griber myndighederne ikke ind.

Det er oftest kvindernes ægtefæller, der begår de voldelige overgreb. En albansk kvinde fortæller Amnesty om ægtefællens gentagne overgreb: "Han tævede mig og brugte også telefonledningen". En anden kvinde beretter: "En dag brugte han håndjern og bandt mig til bilens udstødning, før han kørte".

De voldelige overgreb mod kvinder bliver i vidt omfang tolereret og undskyldt med, at det er en del af albansk tradition og mentalitet. Politi og retsvæsen behandler ofte først vold i hjemmet som en forbrydelse, når volden er livstruende eller er endt med dødsfald.

"Amnesty opfordrer den albanske regering til at leve op til sine internationale forpligtelser og beskytte de tusinder af kvinder, som bliver udsat for voldelige overgreb i deres eget hjem. Albanien bør indføre lovgivning, der udtrykkeligt forbyder vold mod kvinder i hjemmet og dermed understreger myndighedernes pligt til at beskytte kvinderne og retsforfølge gerningsmændene," siger kampagneleder i Amnesty International, Camilla Laudrup.

"Vold mod kvinder er et brud på menneskerettighederne. Staten har pligt til at beskytte kvinder mod overgreb, efterforske forbrydelserne og retsforfølge dem, der har begået overgrebene", siger Camilla Laudrup.

Rapporten kan hentes fra: http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR110022006?open&of=ENG-ALB. Printvenlig udgave kan hentes på: http://web.amnesty.org/library/print/ENGEUR110022006. Her følger Introduktionsafsnittet:

1. Introduction

One night from 7pm to 4am he was drinking and torturing me in various ways. He took the meat cleaver when I was lying on the settee, and held it against the front of my neck, just because I called my sister, and he said, "Why did you call your sister, you wanted to ask about your brother-in-law and not your sister". So he beat me very badly. I was horrified. I was pregnant just in my first months. He then took a shot of raki and sat in silence for five minutes. Then he took the cleaver, and with all the force of his upper hand pushed my head to one side and put the cleaver to my neck. I don’t know how I didn’t die from the shock. He was interrogating me trying to find out who I liked or if I had someone else. I didn’t answer his questions as I was very afraid and didn’t want to make any mistake as I knew it could end very badly. Then he took another shot and sat for another five minutes. Then he took the electrician’s pincers and pulled at my new blouse trying to get at my breast and destroyed the blouse with the pincers; then he took my hair and cut it with a bread knife; then he tried to gouge my eyes out with his finger; then he put his fist in my mouth with as much pressure as he could. All the time while he tortured me, he would stop, take a shot of raki, and then start torturing me again. I passed out at about 4.30 am. (N).

I am carrying the past around inside me. No one can see my heart, how it is inside. (P).

As in other countries throughout the world, the human rights of thousands of Albanian women are violated on a daily basis. At least a third of all women in Albania are estimated to have experienced physical violence within their families. They are hit, beaten, raped, and in some cases even killed. Many more endure psychological violence, physical and economic control.

On 23 January 2006, a coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), led by the Citizen’s Advocacy Office and including the major women and children’s NGOs, presented a draft law "On Measures against Violence in Family Relations" to the Albanian parliament by citizen’s petition.

Twenty thousand Albanians had signed this petition presenting the draft law, indicating the concern of a significant sector of Albanian society about this continuing and widespread abuse of human rights, and their determination to call on the government to take action to prevent violence in the family and protect its victims. (1)

While acknowledging that the Albanian government should take action to address all forms of violence within the family, this report focuses on one aspect of family violence, the violence against women perpetrated by their husbands or other intimate partners, more commonly known as domestic violence.

In their 1996 report, Domestic Violence in Albania, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights recommended that "the Albanian government should afford victims of domestic violence meaningful access to the criminal justice system".(2) Ten years later, despite an apparent increase in reports of domestic violence in the press and in the number and capacity of women’s NGOs providing women with assistance and support, the increased documentation of domestic violence by Albanian and international NGOs and recommendations by UN treaty bodies, it appears that successive Albanian governments have continued to fail to provide women with any effective access to justice, or the right to protection from such violence.

Violence against women is an abuse of the human rights of women and girls including their rights to mental and physical integrity, to liberty and security of the person, to freedom of expression, the right to choice in marriage and the basic requirement of non-discrimination. Violence may lead to treatment amounting to torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and in extreme cases, may violate the right to life. Violence against women prevents the full enjoyment of rights and fundamental freedoms such as the rights to health and employment.

Husbands, former husbands and partners are responsible for most of these abuses, but other family members may take part in or support acts of violence, which may often be condoned by the wider community in which the woman lives. In Albania, as elsewhere, notions of tradition may all too often serve as a pretext for acts of violence against women deemed to have infringed traditional codes of behaviour, and even those who conform to their allotted role of wife and mother. Such violence against women is widely tolerated, justified and excused by reference to tradition, or a specific Albanian "mentality", even at the highest levels of the government, police and judiciary.

Individual women and women’s NGOs in Albania (3) have, over the past decade, worked to expose the culture of violence in which many women live and which is often invisible to the outside world. They have established organizations, including help-lines and shelters, to counsel women suffering domestic violence and have helped women to escape violent men. They received little or no assistance from the national authorities.

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Marcie B. Ries

Zallherr Commando Regiment

Honored participants, Mr. Prime Minister; Mr. Minister of Defense; Soldiers of Albania -

It is a privilege and an honor for me to be with you here today to bid farewell to the members of the elite Commando unit that will depart very soon for duty in Iraq.

I am acutely aware that this is the seventh rotation since Albanian Commandos began serving as part of the coalition forces in Iraq -- compelling testimony of the enduring commitment of Albania to the cause of freedom and security in the world.

I say "freedom and security in the world" because the effort in Iraq is only one part in the larger fight against terrorism around the globe. Terror attacks over the past year in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere leave no doubt that the struggle against extremism and intolerance is one of global proportions -- And we are grateful and proud that Albania stands with the United States in this historic battle for a brighter future for all the world's people.

Several days ago marked the third anniversary of the beginning of the liberation of Iraq. Throughout the week, President Bush has spoken widely about progress in Iraq and his unwavering conviction that we will defeat the insurgency and prevent Iraq from becoming a breeding ground for terrorist activity.

We know that there is still much work to do in Iraq, but we should not lose sight of the remarkable achievements there in the last three years. One of the world's most brutal and dangerous dictators has been removed and now stands before a court of law to answer for his actions. Equally important, the foundations of democracy have been laid in Iraq.

Albanians do not need to be told what life was like under the communist dictatorship. I am convinced that the suffering you experienced under the isolation, tyranny, and extreme deprivation of communism is a key reason why you have sent many of your best-trained forces to fight for freedom in Iraq.

Through your participation in important and challenging missions like the one in Iraq, you prove that Albania is a valuable contributor to global peace and security, and that it holds with us the shared values of democracy and freedom – the underpinnings of our Euro-Atlantic institutions.

When General Casey and General Abizaid took part in the Coalition Forces conference hosted by Albania a few months ago, they both stressed to me how impressed they were with the performance and professionalism of your unit in Mosul. And I must say that while I was very pleased to hear such words from two of America's most senior American military leaders, I was not surprised. Having been here for a year and a half now, I know well the dedication and capabilities of Albanian fighting men and women. And I know you will do your country proud in your difficult but extraordinarily important assignment.

On behalf of the United States Government, and the American people, I wish you all success and a safe return home.

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SERBIEN og MONTENEGRO. SERBIEN (alene)


Det Amerikanske UM har offentliggjort en 'Background Note' om Serbien - Montenegro: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5388.htm • Det Engelske Udenrigsministeriums 'Country Advice' til rejsende kan findes på adressen: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386622 • En biografi over tidligere Forbundspræsident Kostunica kan læses på Serbiske Politikere.


Præsidentvalg i Serbien. Boris Tadic blev i Juni 2004 valgt som Præsident. Seneste Parlamentsvalg: 031228.


Kosovo / Kosóva: PM Kostunica har deltaget i Congress of the European People's Party og benyttet lejligheden til at promovere Serbiens interesser i Kosovo-spørgsmålet:

Solution for Kosovo-Metohija must not be imposed

Belgrade/Rome, March 30, 2006 - Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met today in Rome with Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and later during the day with Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis. The two officials stressed during the talks that the solution for future status of Kosovo-Metohija must not be imposed, but rather a result of negotiations and compromise of both sides.

Kostunica, who is on a two-day visit to Rome where he is taking part in the Congress of the European People's Party, told the press that Sanader conveyed to him the position of Croatia, which is that no solution for Kosovo reached without Belgrade's consent will be acceptable.

He said that he also talked with Sanader about further improvement of bilateral relations between Serbia and Croatia, especially about the position of the Serbian community in Croatia.

The Serbian Prime Minister said that during his meeting with Karamanlis it was agreed that little progress has been made in the implementation of standards in Kosovo. He explained that this is a discouraging fact when it comes to the future status of the southern Serbian province.

According to Kostunica, Karamanlis reiterated once more the position of Greece that the rules of the procedure stipulate that in issues such as that of Kosovo, a compromise must be sought.

Kostunica added that he told the Greek Prime Minister that in his opinion the only compromise between the situation until 1999 and Pristina’s demand for freedom is essential autonomy advocated by Belgrade.

“All those in the region who are concerned for stability also abide by those rules. It seems to me that in solving the problem of Kosovo-Metohija nothing else is required apart from upholding international law,” said Kostunica.

He said that he also conveyed to the Greek Prime Minister Belgrade’s position, which favours the idea of integration, and not disintegration. He added that Belgrade has the same opinion when it comes to the upcoming Montenegro referendum on independence in which the EU will also play a role, which is of great importance.

Kostunica and Karamanlis also discussed Greek support to Belgrade in the process of EU integration, as well as economic cooperation between the two countries.

Kostunica said that the presence of Greek companies, and banks in particular, proves that the economic situation in Serbia is stable.

He also pointed out that Serbia is about to put an end to its cooperation with the Hague tribunal.

Recalling yesterday’s visit of the tribunal’s chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte to Belgrade, Kostunica said that it was a working visit whose aim was to sum up the results of the cooperation with the tribunal so far.

The Prime Minister said that he is satisfied with what has been done and added that these results were not easy to achieve given all the problems Serbia is facing.

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MONTENEGRO (alene)


Præsidentvalg 030511: Filip Vujanovic blev valgt. Seneste Parlamentsvalg 021020.

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MAKEDONIEN

Det Engelske Udenrigsministeriums 'Country Advice' til rejsende kan findes på adressen: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386163 • Det Amerikanske UM har offentliggjort en 'Background Note' om Makedonien: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/26759.htm

Der er omkring 25 % etniske Albanere i Makedonien. Folketælling afholdtes 021101-021105.

Folkeafstemningen 041107 om decentralisering (= imødekommelse af Makedonien-Albanske interesser): Folkeafstemningen "faldt". Stemmedeltagelsen var kun omkring 26 %. Hvis afstemningen skulle have kunnet udvirke en ændring af decentraliseringslovgivningen, skulle deltagelsen have været mindst 50%, og desuden skulle der have været flertal mod lovgivningen. Det var ventet at stemmedeltagelsen ville have været noget større, selv om både Regeringspartierne og den Albanske minoritet anbefalede at man blev hjemme. Man kan nu gå videre i overensstemmelse med Ohrid-aftalerne.

Præsidentvalg i Maj 2004: Branko Crvenkovski - hidtidig PM - blev valgt (efter Boris Trajkovski som omkom ved en flyulykke). Seneste Parlamentsvalg fandt sted 020915. Der kan henvises til flg. OSCE/ODIHR-oversigtsside: http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/field_activities/skopje2002/.

Makedonien forhandler med EU om optagelse. Aktuel status, se: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/fyrom/key_documents.htm. Se også den generelle side: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/index_en.html

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GRÆKENLAND

Seneste Parlamentsvalg 040307.

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TYRKIET


UMs rejsevejledning: http://www.um.dk/da/menu/Borgerservice/FoerRejsen/Rejsevejledninger/RejsevejledningTyrkiet.htm.


Seneste Parlamentsvalg blev holdt 021103. Det blev i December 2004 aftalt (med EUs Regeringschefer)at der i Oktober 2005 skal indledes forhandlinger om optagelse af Tyrkiet i EU.


Præsident Moisiu er rejst til Tyrkiet for at blive checket af læger dér. Præsidentkontoret skriver:

President Moisiu departed to Turkey. March 29, 2006. The President of the Republic, Alfred Moisiu departed today at noon to Ankara, Turkey where he will undergo a periodic medical check in one of the health clinics of the Turkish capital.

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LANDE UDEN FOR BALKAN OG ØSTLIGE MIDDELHAV. NATO-LANDE


ITALIEN


Mother Teresa. I anledning af saligkåringen ('beatificeringen') 031019 har Vatikantet etableret en internetside: http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20031019_index_madre-teresa_en.html

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USA

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Marcie B. Ries

Zallherr Commando Regiment

Honored participants, Mr. Prime Minister; Mr. Minister of Defense; Soldiers of Albania -

It is a privilege and an honor for me to be with you here today to bid farewell to the members of the elite Commando unit that will depart very soon for duty in Iraq.

I am acutely aware that this is the seventh rotation since Albanian Commandos began serving as part of the coalition forces in Iraq -- compelling testimony of the enduring commitment of Albania to the cause of freedom and security in the world.

I say "freedom and security in the world" because the effort in Iraq is only one part in the larger fight against terrorism around the globe. Terror attacks over the past year in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere leave no doubt that the struggle against extremism and intolerance is one of global proportions -- And we are grateful and proud that Albania stands with the United States in this historic battle for a brighter future for all the world's people.

Several days ago marked the third anniversary of the beginning of the liberation of Iraq. Throughout the week, President Bush has spoken widely about progress in Iraq and his unwavering conviction that we will defeat the insurgency and prevent Iraq from becoming a breeding ground for terrorist activity.

We know that there is still much work to do in Iraq, but we should not lose sight of the remarkable achievements there in the last three years. One of the world's most brutal and dangerous dictators has been removed and now stands before a court of law to answer for his actions. Equally important, the foundations of democracy have been laid in Iraq.

Albanians do not need to be told what life was like under the communist dictatorship. I am convinced that the suffering you experienced under the isolation, tyranny, and extreme deprivation of communism is a key reason why you have sent many of your best-trained forces to fight for freedom in Iraq.

Through your participation in important and challenging missions like the one in Iraq, you prove that Albania is a valuable contributor to global peace and security, and that it holds with us the shared values of democracy and freedom – the underpinnings of our Euro-Atlantic institutions.

When General Casey and General Abizaid took part in the Coalition Forces conference hosted by Albania a few months ago, they both stressed to me how impressed they were with the performance and professionalism of your unit in Mosul. And I must say that while I was very pleased to hear such words from two of America's most senior American military leaders, I was not surprised. Having been here for a year and a half now, I know well the dedication and capabilities of Albanian fighting men and women. And I know you will do your country proud in your difficult but extraordinarily important assignment.

On behalf of the United States Government, and the American people, I wish you all success and a safe return home.

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ENGLAND

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TYSKLAND


Kansler Angela Merkel vil besøge Albanien på et senere tidspunkt. PM Berisha's kontor skriver:

The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel accepts the invitation to visit Albania

23/3/2006

Prime Minister Sali Berisha participates on Thursday, in the European People’s Party Summit, held in Meise in a castle near Brussels. This Summit is held just before the European Summit, which will be held at the end of March in Rome. In the Summit participated Prime Ministers and Leaders of the European right wing parties among which, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel; the Prime Minister of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi; the Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Shussel; the CE President, Hose Manuel Barroso; the Prime Minister of Holland, Jan Peter Balkanende; the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jan-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Greece, Kostas Karamanlis; Bavaria’s Prime Minister, Edmund Stoiber, the chairman of the European Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee, Elmar Brok; the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Pier Ferdinando Casini, as well as many other personalities of the European right wing.

The opening speech was held by the President of the European People’s Party, Wilfried Martens. The Summit aims to present and approve the documents for the next EPP Congress which will be held in Rome on 30-31 march, 2006. The CE President, Barroso and the Chancellor Shussel, whose country has the EU rotating presidency, presented the agenda of the issues, which will be discussed today and tomorrow in the European Summit. Some of these main issues were, scientific research, the mutual policies for the energy, the development of the private enterprise, etc.

During the proceedings of the Summit and the lunch, Mr. Berisha held meetings with heads of governments and states present in the Summit. During these meetings, he asked for their support for the signature of the Stabilization-Association Agreement. Mr. Berisha thanked the Austrian Chancellor, Wofgang Shussel for the support, his country has given to the completion of the Stabilization-Association Agreement and preparations for its signature. Prime Minister Berisha met and invited the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel to visit Albania. Mrs. Merkel accepted the invitation and promised to visit our country some time appropriate. Mr. Berisha also had meetings with the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi; Greek Prime Minister, Kostas Karamanlis; Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Jean Claude Juncker; as well as other Prime Ministers, heads of states, and representatives of European right-wing parties.

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FRANKRIG

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DANMARK (NORGE, SVERIGE)


Ugerapport fra Dansk KFOR. Hærens Operative Kommando - se under: Kosova.

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LANDE UDEN FOR BALKAN OG ØSTLIGE MIDDELHAV. IKKE NATO-LANDE


RUSLAND

UMs Rejsevejledning: http://www.um.dk/da/menu/Borgerservice/FoerRejsen/Rejsevejledninger/RejsevejledningRusland.htm

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KINA

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Information om »Sidste Nyt« »Sidste Nyt om Albanien, Kosóva og Makedonien« hører til et web-site om de Balkan-lande hvor der lever mange Albanere: http://bjoerna.dk/albanerne.htm. Her kan du også finde »gamle nyheder«, anmeldelser, links og en Balkan Brevkasse. »Sidste Nyt« sættes på nettet senest hver fredag morgen, hvor der sendes besked til dem der ønsker det. Bestilling / afbestilling sker ved at sende en e-mail med teksten »Nyheder udbedes« / »Nyheder afmeldes«. Nyheder, materiale, kommentarer og spørgsmål modtages meget gerne, både om småting og større ting. Send en e-mail. Tilsvarende hvis du opdager en fejl. Fejl vil blive rettet hurtigst muligt. »Sidste Nyt« og http://bjoerna.dk/albanerne.htm drives non-profit og uden finansiering »udefra«. Hvis du vil være med til at fiansiere udgivelsen kan du lettest gøre det ved at købe én eller flere af mine bøger. Send gerne en mail hvis der er - små eller store - tekniske problemer. Bemærkninger om EDB-sikkerhed. Du må citere hvis du angiver hovedsidens adresse: bjoerna.dk Siderne om Albanerne finder du på: bjoerna.dk/albanerne.htm

»To skridt frem? Albanien i en brydningstid« Baggrundsmateriale kan findes via: http://bjoerna.net/to-skridt-frem/#Linksamling »Albansk Almanak 2004« Almanak'en for 2004 er udkommet i december 2005. Her finder du nyhedsbrevene fra 2004 og nogle kommentarer. Bogen udgives i et sæt bestående af et hæfte (de første 77 sider) og en CD (alle 1264 sider). På CD'en også supplerende materiale - ikke mindst »1912 - Med den serbiske Armé i Makedonien« - Fritz Magnussen's beretninger v/ Palle Rossen. Se indholdsoversigt på: http://bjoerna.dk/albansk-historie/almanak-2004.htm. Se pris på: Bestillingsliste. Udgaven for 2005 ventes at udkomme i april 2006. »Albanske Studier« bd. 1-2 Kommentarer til Bjøl, Huntington, Machiavelli, Sørlander, DUPI (Humanitær Intervention), Clausewitz, Mao Zedong, Lars R. Møller, Malcolm og flere andre. Englændere på rejse i Albanien: Edward Lear, Edith Durham og Robert Carver. Bøger om slægtsfejder og blodhævn. Diskussion af Anne Knudsen's disputats om blodhævn på Korsika og af Ismail Kadare's roman »Ufuldendt april«. Baggrundsmateriale om den Sønderjyske general Christian von Holstein, der deltog i Habsburgernes felttog ind i Kosóva i 1689-90. Sidst i bogen et forsøg på en sammenfatning i form af nogle 'grundlæggende synspunkter'. Desuden en kommentar til Hans Hækkerup's »På skansen«. På CD'en supplerende materiale om traditionelle Albanske klædedragter og om Holstein. Hans bog om Kosovo er omtalt i »Albansk Almanak 2004«. Du kan downloade indholdsfortegnelsen og kommentaren til »På skansen« fra: http://bjoerna.dk/albansk-historie/studier-2002.htm Bogen findes i trykt form og på CD (som pdf-fil). Papirudgave 368 A4-sider i 2 bind. Bogen sælges som papirudgave m/ CD og som CD alene. Se pris på: Bestillingsliste. Til dig der kigger på et ældre nummer af »Sidste Nyt«. Seneste udgave af denne »annonce« kan ses på: »Sidste Nyt« (klik)